The purpose of this Part is to establish procedures for the
use and maintenance of holding tanks when the Township, Bucks County
Department of Health (BCDH) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental
Protection (PADEP) determine that the use of a holding tank is necessary
to abate a nuisance or public health hazard. This Part also applies
to institutional, recreational or commercial establishments with a
sewage flow of 800 gallons per day or less. It is hereby declared
that the regulations of this Part are necessary for the protection,
benefit and preservation of the health, safety and welfare of the
residents of Upper Makefield Township.
The Township Supervisors and their duly authorized agents are
authorized and empowered to undertake within the Township the control
and methods of holding tanks, sewage disposal, and the collection
and transportation thereof.
The Board of Supervisors is hereby authorized and empowered
to adopt, by resolution, such rules and regulations concerning sewage
which it may deem necessary from time to time to effect the purposes
of this Part.
All such rules and regulations adopted by the Township shall
be in conformity with the provisions herein, all other ordinances
of the Township, and all applicable laws and regulations of administrative
agencies of Bucks County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The owner of a property that utilizes a holding tank shall:
A. Maintain the holding tank in conformance with this Part or any ordinance
of the Township, the provisions of any applicable law, and the rules
and regulations of the Township, Bucks County, and any administrative
agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
B. Permit only persons authorized by the BCDH and Township to collect,
transport and dispose of the contents of the tank.
C. Be responsible for the periodic cleaning or emptying of the holding
tank as well as the cost thereof.
D. Be responsible for the periodic testing of sewage and the cost thereof
when deemed necessary by the Township.
Whenever sanitary sewer service provided by the Township becomes
available for use, the holding tank must be disconnected and disposed
of in accordance with any applicable BCDH/PADEP/Township Regulations,
and proper connection shall be made to the sanitary sewer within 90
days after notice to make connection.
Removal and/or disposal of a holding tank shall be in compliance
with any applicable regulations of the BCDH/PADEP/Township regulations
and shall require notice to Upper Makefield Township no less than
15 days prior to the start of removal or disposal.
The owner of each holding tank shall agree to maintain and be
responsible for the holding tank, subject to the terms and conditions
stated in this Part. The agreement with the Township regarding the
operation, maintenance and removal of the tank shall be recorded in
the Office of the Bucks County Recorder of Deeds and shall be binding
upon all future property owners.
The Board of Supervisors of Upper Makefield Township reserves
the right to amend this Part at any time, as deemed necessary.